in 2012, president obama nominated him to lead the effort in afghanistan. at his confirmation hearing in capitol hill he spoke about the support he receives from the home front. >> joining me is my wife ellen, i'm fortunate to have her love and support, she is a great mother to our three children and also serves as a tireless advocate in the military family. >> recently my roommate who had met him through a gradual school prep class introduced me to him because she knew we had grown up in the same area. >> both joe dunford and his wife ellen have deep roots in the boston area. he was born in south boston and moved to quincy, massachusetts at age 12. the couple met in washington, d.c. he was a young marine captain. as for ellen -- >> i had come down here and was working as a physical therapist. >> i was taking a course at george washington university and ellen's roommate invited me over for dinner so the three of us had dinner on saturday night and i think about two weeks later i asked her out on a date. >> when you brought him home for the first time and sa